Matthew Dellavedova silences Hawks crowd with gracious MVP moment

After Matthew Dellavedova was named Finals MVP, the United star silenced a booing crowd with a gracious moment that will go down in history – but the NBL won’t officially change the award.

He didn’t win the elusive NBL title to match with his NBA championship and Olympic bronze but Australian hoops icon Matthew Dellavedova’s extraordinary grand final MVP act in the face of relentless boos from Illawarra fans has added to his remarkable legend.

After Illawarra sealed the NBL title on its home floor in a decisive 114-104 game five win over Melbourne United, Dellavedova was awarded the Larry Sengstock Trophy for grand final MVP.

The Boomers great had been brilliant in the series but Illawarra’s Will ‘Davo’ Hickey was the key driver of the club’s second title in 46 years and, after finishing the series with a starring performance of 21 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists in the Hawks win, deserved the MVP honour.

When Sengstock announced Dellavedova had won the trophy, it prompted a chorus of boos to ring out inside WIN Entertainment Centre as the United guard approached the dais.

What Dellavedova did next was the ultimate act of class, in the face of disrespect.

“Hold on, hold on,” Dellavedova pleaded with the crowd as he put his hand up, hoping for the boos to stop so he could speak.

Matthew Dellavedova talks to the crowd after being awarded the Finals MVP award. Picture: Getty Images

Matthew Dellavedova hands over his Finals MVP award to William Hickey of the Hawks. Picture: Getty Images

''A moment that will live forever'' 🥹

An incredible sporting gesture from Matthew Dellavedova, handing his Championship Series MVP to Will Hickey. pic.twitter.com/mdE9qZ4RHx

— NBL (@NBL) March 23, 2025

“Davo, this really belongs to you, you had a hell of a series.

“Congratulations on the win.

“To our boys, thanks for a fun season. To our families, we appreciate everything you do.

“But, Davo, this is yours.”

Dellavedova then made a beeline for Hickey, shook his hand and handed him the MVP trophy.

Hawks fans, understandably, wanted their man to win the award, but the booing of one of Australian basketball’s most iconic men has been widely condemned.

NBL confirmed Dellavedova will remain this season’s championship series MVP despite his gracious gesture.

NBL boss Larry Kestelman has heaped praise on Melbourne United star Matthew Dellavedova for producing one of the most gracious post-game gestures in Australian sports history.

Dellavedova was greeted with a barrage of boos after being announced as the championship series MVP.

Will Hickey of the Hawks celebrates after game five. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images.

The Illawarra faithful felt the MVP award should have been given to Hawks guard Davo Hickey following a standout Game 5 performance.

Incredibly, Dellavedova walked off the ceremony stage and handed Hickey the award, declaring: “This belongs to you”.

NBL officials confirmed the championship series MVP will remain Dellavedova’s in the record books despite his classy post-game gesture.

Asked what the selfless act of class said about the United veteran, Kestelman told Code Sports: “Delly is a champion. I don’t think I’ve seen people giving away their trophies before, but respect to Delly.

“His humility, he is down to earth, his pride.

“(Will) Hickey played his absolute guts out, especially in that last game. He won it for them (Illawarra).

“The records will show Dellavedova won the MVP, but I respect his decision to honour Hickey given how he played.

“It just shows the type of person he is.”

Originally published as Matthew Dellavedova silences Hawks crowd with gracious MVP moment